Jason Leavy is a man who wears many hats in the film industry… that is, when he’s not wearing his Tampa Bay’s Buccaneers cap! He is a producer, director, videographer, editor, and content creator. He, his brother Michael Leavy, and friend Steven Della Salla founded the production company Fuzz on the Lens. Fuzz has helped bring horror fans some of the biggest titles in the last decade, including the Terrifier franchise and Stream.
Jason was kind enough to sit down with iHorror and share with us his life; acting, producing, and his journey into filmmaking are all explored!
iHorror: How did you begin your journey into filmmaking?
Jason Leavy: Ever since we were kids, my brother and I were obsessed with creating stories. We used to sneak off with my mom’s old camcorder and film little spoof movies with our friends. While other kids were out playing ding-dong ditch or manhunt, we were setting up scenes, acting out characters, and trying to make each other laugh. Looking back, that’s really where it all started. We knew from a very young age that we wanted to be creative, to tell stories, and to make people feel every kind of emotion while being entertained.
iHorror: Do you and your brother have the same style when working behind the camera together?
Jason Leavy: I’d say we definitely share a very similar style, and that’s one of the main reasons we work so well together. We tend to see things the same way creatively, which makes collaborating behind the camera feel natural and effortless. Of course, there are times when we have different viewpoints, but honestly, that’s what makes us stronger. Those moments of difference push us to think outside the box and ultimately make the final product even better.
iHorror: What role did the horror genre play in your life when you were growing up?
Jason Leavy: Believe it or not, our love for horror really started with our mom. While other kids were watching shows like Barney and Blue’s Clues, she was showing us classics like The Exorcist, IT, and Halloween. That early exposure definitely shaped our passion for the genre. Our grandfather also played a huge role, he absolutely loved Halloween and would go all out decorating the house every year. We’ve carried on that tradition, turning our parents’ home into a neighborhood staple with massive Halloween displays.
For us, it’s about more than just the scares, it’s about recreating that feeling of excitement and magic we had as kids. Just like with our films, we love giving back to our community and creating experiences that bring people together and leave them with memories that last a lifetime.
iHorror: If you weren’t working in the film industry, what would you be doing to earn a living?
Jason Leavy: Interesting question, for me, there really isn’t a plan B. I’ve always believed that if you want to succeed in anything, you have to go all in and never look back. You go for the gold no matter how hard it gets. I’ve learned that perseverance and passion are everything. I’d rather chase my dreams and fail trying than never take the chance at all. We only get one shot at this life, so why not dream big and give it everything you’ve got?
The Terrifier series has a lot of dark comedic elements throughout the movies. Was it fun working on the set with your cast and crew?
iHorror: Jason Leavy: I always say that horror films are some of the most fun to work on when it comes to being on set. Especially with the amazing group of people we had, we’re all like one big family, and I think you can really see that passion and friendship bleed through the film. We shared so many laughs and created memories that will last a lifetime. From Damien to Phil to George, to my brother, and Steve Della Salla we all get along so well, and that chemistry is pivotal when making a movie of that magnitude. You really have to enjoy the people you’re working with, because that energy is what makes the long hours and hard work all worth it.
iHorror: Had you seen All Hallows’ Eve before you became involved with the first Terrifier movie?
iHorror: Jason Leavy: Yes, I had seen All Hallows’ Eve before getting involved with the first Terrifier movie, and I remember thinking how unique the character was. The way Damien told the story was wild; it really stood out. What impressed me the most were his practical effects; they brought such a raw, authentic feel that the horror genre had been missing for a while. Practical effects are king, and this franchise is living proof of that.
Do you have a favorite kill from all three movies?
Jason Leavy: Yes, I do. One of my favorite kills has to be the Allie kill. There was just so much that went into bringing that scene to life. The amount of practical effects involved was insane, and everything had to be spot on for it to work. We built a full puppet that took four people to operate, and the scene itself took seven days to film. It was a lot of long hours, but it kept building and getting crazier as we went. The best part was seeing the audience’s reaction in theaters; the shock, the gasps, people covering their eyes. That’s when you know all the hard work paid off and you did it right.
iHorror: What are you looking forward to the most about continuing the Terrifier story?
Jason Leavy: I’d say what excites me most is that with each Terrifier film, we go further and further down the rabbit hole. Like Damien has said, I’m really looking forward to audiences getting to see more of Art the Clown’s backstory. I think that’s something a lot of people are curious about. And of course, the kills just keep getting bigger, bolder, and crazier with every movie. I can’t wait for fans to see what’s coming next… they haven’t seen anything yet.
iHorror: Was it always intended for you to have an acting part in Stream?
Jason Leavy: I’ve always loved acting, and whenever we make a film, I try to find a way to get in front of the camera. I’ve always wanted to play a killer, so Stream felt like the perfect opportunity to finally do that. I actually wrote a lot of the scenes involving Player 1, so I felt really connected to the character from the start. It was such a fun role to take on, and getting to work with amazing actors like Danielle Harris made it even better. She was incredible . She was always pushing me to go further, especially during the kill scene. We had a ton of fun on set, and she was a total pro. She’s still a great friend to this day.
iHorror: What was your favorite part about acting in Stream? Did you find acting more or less stressful than producing?
Jason Leavy: I think my favorite part about acting in Stream was being able to take everything in to actually see all the things we wrote come to life right in front of me. Watching the words jump off the page and turn into real moments on set was an incredible feeling.
As for stress, I’d say acting is definitely a little less stressful. Producing, on the other hand, is like having a kid you watch it grow from an idea into something real. It takes a lot of care, time, and patience, but the reward at the end is huge. Seeing everything come together, from that first spark of an idea to the finished product, makes all the stress completely worth it.
iHorror: What was it like collaborating with nERD bOX and Red Duke Games on the game, Stream: The Player’s Cut?
Jason Leavy: It’s been such a fun experience collaborating with nERD bOX and Red Duke Games on Stream: The Player’s Cut. I grew up playing board games with my family, so to now have a game being made based on a film we created is honestly amazing. The team really went above and beyond with the details. They captured the essence of the movie perfectly while turning it into a super fun, interactive experience. I love how they integrated the story into the gameplay, and I think fans are going to have an absolute blast playing it.
iHorror: How was creating a game similar and different from creating a movie?
Jason Leavy: Creating a game and creating a movie share a lot of similarities, but they also have their own unique challenges. In both, you’re telling a story building tension, developing characters, and creating moments that keep people engaged. The big difference is that with a movie, the audience is watching the story unfold, while with a game, they’re actually part of it.
With the game, there was a lot more focus on interactivity and making sure players felt immersed in the world we built on screen. It’s a whole new way to experience the story, and seeing people step into that universe and make their own choices has been really rewarding. It’s like bringing the film to life in a completely different medium.
iHorror: What can you tell us about the sequel to Stream to whet our appetite?
Jason Leavy: Without giving too much away, I can say that the sequel to Stream is going to be completely high-octane from start to finish. The kills are going to be even more brutal, the tension more intense, and we’re diving much deeper into the story behind the game. Really shedding more light on how it all connects. I’m beyond excited for fans to see what’s coming. It’s going to be fun, gory, and full of surprises, everything our audience loves and expects, and I promise they won’t be disappointed.
iHorror: You have worked with one of my favorite indie horror directors, Tory Jones. What was it like collaborating with him on the set of Phantom Fun-World?
Jason Leavy: Tory is a great friend. I met him many years ago, and we’ve kind of grown in parallel within the indie horror world. It’s been awesome watching his journey and seeing how much he’s accomplished over the years. Working with him on Phantom Fun-World was a fantastic experience. He’s a true professional who brings a ton of passion and creativity to everything he does, but beyond that, he’s just a genuinely great guy. Collaborating with someone who loves the genre as much as you do makes the whole process that much more enjoyable.